Nino's News

15 Years and counting

2007-04-18T09:50:00.001-05:00

15 years ago today, Ali and I stood in front of family and friends at ACU's Chapel on the Hill and vowed to love each other until death should part us. And what an amazing 15 years it has been.

I sang (over my own prerecorded vocal track cause I knew I might not make it through the song...Wendy Wray Ogren accompanied me on the piano) Ali down the aisle. "Arise With Me" by Michael Card and no, I didn't make it through...She was so beautiful and I was an overwhelmed 22-year old! I sniffled my way to the end. Somebody, maybe my mother, handed me a Kleenex. Anyway, my dad then started the ceremony with Scripture, a story and a prayer then asked the question "Who gives this bride away?" Ali's dad had walked her down the aisle, answered "Her Mother and I" and then he took over the rest of the ceremony. It was a great day!

We left that day in a horse and carriage to our awaiting vehicle at Ali's grandparent's house. Our honeymoon was spent in Northwest Arkansas at a cabin my aunt and uncle owned on a private lake. (It was free and beautiful!) We actually stopped for the night on the way there at what then used to be the Harvey Hotel here in the DFW area.

After the week we traveled back and made a quick stop at the Burleson Church of Christ to interview for their youth ministry position. They asked if I played the guitar, I told them barely, they asked if I'd play it around the kids, I said probably, they never called!

We made a decision to go to San Antonio over Thousand Oaks, CA for a job. After two years, we moved back to Abilene for Master's degrees. Then on to Houston for 5+ years and now we are nearing the 5 year mark here at Southlake.

We've been blessed with 3 awesome and beautiful kids in these 15 years, but I must say...sitting across from my wife at breakfast this morning...She is more beautiful today than the day I was overwhelmed by seeing her beauty walk down the aisle at the Chapel on the Hill at ACU.

I love you, Ali!

The hermitage

2007-03-26T16:07:00.000-05:00

I mentioned last time that Ali, the kids and I got be near Baton Rouge over spring break. What we got to experience was some much needed rest and relaxation and an unplugging from work and the world and TV and Nintendo and computers, etc. We went to a place called Parish Hermitage and it was fantastic. My kids loved it (I'll try to put on some pics of us in the rubber boots preparing to walk the swamps). Eddie & Judy Parish along with their 2 kids run the place and are incredible, gifted people. A couple of times each day Judy would come and take our kids and love on them and play with them while Eddie would spend some time talking with Ali and me.

We talked about life, God and our relationship with him, marital relationship and parenting issues. One of the biggest things I discovered is how much I feel I need to work for salvation rather than accepting it as God's gift. Don't get me wrong...in my head I get it and I also know that it is not by faith alone for faith without works is not worth much. But when it is ALL work and little faith, there begin to be problems. And I have felt for a long time that I could never please God, no matter how much "work" I did.

So here I am a minister at a church, leading the worship just about every week, wanting desperately for my heart to get lost in His great love and being an instrument of His to bring others into His presence, and yet all the while feeling as though I've not done enough. It messes with you! So I'm taking small steps and reciting several times a day the same prayer over and over (wondering if God is sick of it yet). But what I've seen is that what I'm praying for is more about the relationship with Him and it is affecting, positively, my relationship with Ali and the kids, it is somewhat alleviating my burdens. I'm not sure I've let go of my frustrations, but in time ...

I'm not ready to share my prayer yet with anyone (except Ali) and we've been praying together each night which is something I hadn't done in a long while.

One more side note...I'm re-doing our master bath, tiling the floor and widening the shower and tiling it as well. In order to widen it, I had to move the all of the pipes for the water about 18 inches...praise the Lord that I got it done and when I turned the water back on, NO LEAKS!!! Maybe I'll get some pics of the bathroom on here as well.

Be blessed.

Been Awhile, Huh?

2007-03-21T13:38:00.000-05:00

OK

Not sure what I'm going to start writing about because I've got a lot of emotions ticking around.

There are a lot of things I would like to write about as it relates to work, but work is also where I go to church...so I'm a bit stuck in how honest I can be. And there are things about church, not specifically SBC but religion in general that I would like to write about, but not sure how that will be viewed. So I'm in a bit of a quandary.

There's a part of me that wants to be real honest, and yet the other part says no way...too much information.

So I will gingerly plod through over the next few days...

On another note, my family and I had great time near Baton Rouge, Louisiana last week with great communal meals and fellowship.

Hot Mama

2006-05-23T10:10:00.000-05:00

I think David or Andrew took this picture. And while this picture may be blurry, her beauty still captivates me. Her long hair, pulled back kind of showing off her neck and ear...MEOW! I love my wife!

She's an amazing woman who finds me to be amazing. She is so in my corner and believes in me. I know I don't tell her enough, but I believe in her, too! Her creative ability is a gift from God. And I know she wants to use it more and more. She has been so gracious to put those on the back burner with our kids still so young. But oh, how I want her to explore and use those gifts more and more. And while her outer beauty is something to behold, it's her inner beauty that shines brighter than the brightest star.

She truly is a "hot mama!"

Elizabeth's recital

2006-05-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

Here's a couple of pics of my Elizabeth. (Obviously, I'm not a good photographer when it comes to lighting). She did awesome at the recital (which we had at our church). She played two pieces: P-I-N-K and Wee Small Bear. I'm very proud of her and her abilities.

stefanoelliott band

2006-05-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

This is the stefanoelliott band playing at a coffee house in Grapevine.

Andrew the MVP

2006-05-16T10:15:00.000-05:00

Andrew has one more T-Ball game.

He got to have a few balls thrown to him--"coach pitch" and connected well on one of them.

The other great thing is that he got the game ball! Here he is showing it off!

Elizabeth has a piano recital this Saturday...I'll try to post a pic of her as well.

David's Cello

2006-05-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

This is my oldest at his Cello recital. He hasn't totally enjoyed it, but he did stick to it and now has a little bit of theory knowledge and can read a bass clef. He's awesome! Way to go DAVID!

The Slug Bug Game

2006-03-24T09:12:00.000-06:00

My 9 year old (10 in a week) is getting bigger...and with bigger comes the need to test his strength. So he loves to hit me in my arm as hard as he can. At first I could take it pretty good, but he seems to be getting stronger and has better aim. The "way we play" is that I get to "toughen" up his arm as well. But rather than taking it, we go through an awesome wrestling routine of taking him down and "lightly" punching his arm...then he comes back ready to hit away at me. It's fun to see his heart getting to be wild!

So speaking of hitting...most of this started because of game we call (and most people call) The Slug Bug Game. The point being that when one sees a Volkswagen beetle, you yell out "Slug Bug" plus the color and then you get to hit who ever is in the car with you.

This use to be a fun game and one of rarities because there were not many 'bugs' around, but they have made a comeback and there certainly are a plethora. But as time has gone by and as we learn from others (Val) we've come up with several other cars to look out for. Here is a list, add to it if you have others:

Slug Bug for new Volkswagen beetles (we sometimes play an extra hit for older s)
Hummer Slammer for Hummers
Yellow Fellow (Yellow use to not be so popular a color and was rare, now it's abundant-construction vehicles and buses don't count)
Cruiser Bruiser--PT Cruisers
Mean Green Machine--it has to be the most annoying/amazing green ever on a car
Slam Van--A true, rare hit. this is for the old Volkswagen vans
Truck Buck--for semi trucks not carrying a trailer
House Mouse--for RV's like Winnebagos
Cop Bop--police cars
Jeep Beep--Jeep Wranglers
Limo Bean--any type of limousines
Mini-Beeny--I'm trying to get this one rolling with the the little Mini-Coopers
Four Wheel Deal--again, in Texas this is rather abundant to see trucks that have 4 wheel drive so not as fun. (The Mother of all Hits is Hummer Slammer, Yellow Fellow, 4 Wheel Deal)

Time

2006-03-21T21:54:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile but "someone" commented on the need for me to write...yeah, it's been awhile. Time is not my friend right now, at least not the abundance of it to be able to sit and write. Of course, it's a matter of making time fit into the schedule, or making the schedule fit into the time? I get the whole point of only 24 hours, but it seems to go away quickly!

Time

I feel as though my time has always been robbed from me. I'm learning how I am a poor nurturer of myself, mainly because I don't "take the time." I have found that when I get up early (which is something I don't often do but when it happens I have to force it) I feel better and am in a better mood. But now I'm typing at 10 p.m. and not yet in bed. Time has escaped me once again.

Time keeps on slipping into the future. If I could save time in a bottle. If your lost and you look then you will find me time after time. Time is on my side, yes it is. And a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born a time to die. What time is it? 4:30 (it's not late, no, no, it's early). I'm sure there are other "time" songs that strictly use the word in the sense of a 24 hour period.

Enjoyed it

This, That, and Narnia

2005-12-14T06:58:00.000-06:00

Well, it's the incredible busy season. This Sunday night is the culmination of our church choir's work. They sound great and this will be a wonderful night of singing and fellowship. Then comes our annual Christmas eve candle light service. Then on Christmas Day (Sunday) we will gather late in the morning for a time of worship.

The kids are just about done with their Christmas programs. I think they have an all school sing along on Friday followed by "holiday" parties. (We really don't like the political correctness entering school!) Also, David will be playing his cello that day in front of the whole school! Ali and Andrew are done with Preschool for the year. She was wiped out yesterday but Andrew's all the more excited because this means he is closer to going to Disney World with Ali's parents! And at work we have had two awesome parties already and will share in one more on Monday.

Narnia was a great movie. People have asked my favorite part and I automatically go to when Aslan, with a MIGHTY roar, pounces on the queen in the last of the battle scene. I loved Lucy's character...Elizabeth didn't get to go see it, so I can't wait to see it again with her. My boys connected with Peter which is great and just means they want to carry their own sword! (Oh how I can't wait for them to truly understand the power of God's Word as THE sword!)

OK, quick and sweet. Must go wake everyone up for the day! Blessings.

Something Different

2005-11-15T16:30:00.000-06:00

For those that may check this ever so often to see IF I've done anything, here you go. I added a link over to the right of my Dad's Blog..."Robert's Tomfoolery". With the mere definition of "Tomfoolery" as foolish or senseless behavior, you can see where my Dad's brain drifts towards. And most of his humor I totally enjoy. (Hey, it's his genes that are in me!). But you will also see some insights into this incredible man I get to call my dad. I love him.

As for me....Ahhhh, life is going OK! We still don't have a "senior minister" and the process we went through once before that ended in a stalemate of sorts is back on. And there are some other exciting things happening around here, i.e., building renovations in the auditorium and down in the children's area. Some possible stuff happening with intergenerational worship and getting into the schools to talk about "character." I like all that.

I'll leave you with a poem that helped me a bunch a few weeks back...It really brought peace to me and I still reflect on it. The actual title is "His Billows" but I found it adapted to more of today's language.

His Waves

They are HIS waves, whether they break over us
Hiding His face in smothering spray and foam;
Or, smooth and sparkling, spread a path before us,
And to our haven bear us safely home.

They are HIS waves, whether for our sure comfort,
He walks across them, stilling all our fear;
Or to our cry there comes no aid nor answer,
And in the lonely silence none is near.

They are HIS waves, whether we are hard-striving
Through tempest-driven waves that never cease,
While deep to deep with clamor loud is calling;
Or at His word they hush themselves in peace.

They are HIS waves, whether He separates them,
Making us walk dry ground where seas had flowed;
Or lets tumultuous breakers surge about us
Rushing unchecked across our only road.

They are HIS waves, and He brings us through them;
So has He promised, so His love will do;
Keeping and leading, guiding and upholding,
To His sure harbor, He will bring us through.

Annie Johnson Flint

Psalm 42:⁷ Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me. ⁸ By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life...
¹¹ Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

770 matchbooks

2005-08-20T23:08:00.000-05:00

Hey Blog world,

I want to blog, but am so out of time in my life. I'd love to tell you indepth about my oldest son and his desire to learn to play the cello, or about my handing over my match collection from my youth (770 matchbooks) to him that we will start back up together. Or about the other two kids and their amazing piano skills (at least I think they are.) I'd love to tell you about great conversations that Ali and I have had lately. How stuff is going at church. My feelings of Lukewarmness. My thoughts on Blue Like Jazz or Diary from a Mad Black Woman. But alas, time won't allow...so I must wait for another day.

Broken Spirit and a Contrite Heart

2005-08-07T22:30:00.000-05:00

Hello world,

Great day today! We had John Turner in today to speak. He did a great job talking about "The Gospel According to Mick Jagger" (this will probably be posted at southlakechurch.org soon.) Remember the song "You can't always get what you want"? That was the jist as it relates to James 4:1-3. I loved our singing time as well today and our time around the table. One of the impacting moments of the morning was the video clip of S.M. Lockeridge's "That's My King." (from IgniterVideos).

I'll have breakfast with John in the morning...he is a candidate in our process of finding a teacher for our church. Hopefully, we'll talk about whatever and do so openly. It's been odd to be on this side of the interviewing process, Ali and I have never been in on this before. And while the oddity of it comes from not experiencing it before, it certainly has been educational and interesting. I know that just as much as we are asking questions to John, he is interviewing just as much right back. That feels goofy because I feel I need to set a good impression. And yet, why do I have the human urge to impress another human. To tell him how great the body at Southlake really is. I think I would much rather impress God with my meager attempts at worshiping him and leading others in that procession. I suppose that was a sidebar confession.

What's wild about this process is the story of Southlake Blvd Church (SBC). The short end of it (I would say that the long story will need to come another day, but I don't feel rather qualified to get all the details down...so we will see) is that SBC has had a few "transitions"...4 to be precise. And to my knowledge, these weren't "planned church plants." One preacher and the worship leader of that time went to start a cell-based ministry and a few people went with them. Skip a few years, then another group takes off (no staff however) to keep the church of Christ name. Shortly after, another preacher and worship leader along with a few folks take off and start a community church. And fairly recently and what leads us today in searching for a new teacher guy, we let the preacher go (this time the worship leader didn't leave) and a few folks follow him and they start church.

I know you will be surprised to tell you that we are healthy. And I use that word in the overall sense. There is no open wound from this last "transition" that we feel the need to keep open. To draw inward and focus on self. I don't believe that is there. Tension about it, yeah, probably! I feel I can be honest in saying that the last group did not leave on good terms. No need to elaborate here, but I will confess that I have done nothing on my part to reconcile my relationship with the preacher prior. I've struggled at times with that. I'm praying about it and for him and his family. I guess I just know more! Anyway, back to health...Our budget has struggled and that's tough...but our staff has been resiliant and committed, our body has not lost vigor, and our gatherings are filled with joy and confession. I think God defines health as a broken spirit and a contrite heart...I guess I'm saying that at SBC, I feel that.

The State of the Family

2005-07-27T15:19:00.000-05:00

I recently wrote a 6 page "state of the family" letter for mine and Ali's family. I talked about church and all that is going on here and my feelings about it, home life, family, etc. It was a healthy experience for me. (If your in the family and reading this, I mailed it yesterday). But here is an edited excerpt from it:

It’s funny to think of SBC as not a church of Christ, however, we still are in so many ways. We feast on communion each week. (Although we are learning more and more about how communion is a love feast at the “table” not the “alter”. It’s not a funeral but a celebration!) Baptism is more significant now; I used to believe it to be a work that got me into heaven. If I didn’t do it, I would go to Hell. I understand it more as obedience to what Jesus asks me to do to identify myself with him. I’m still studying and struggling with the gift of the Holy Spirit and when that is given (at baptism or at the acceptance of Jesus). I suppose that last statement could freak my family members. I’m not advocating that a “sinner’s prayer” needs to be spoken and then Jesus is in your heart. But I don’t think it to be too far off. It is a confession! And I’ve asked my children, and will continue to ask them, if they believe that Jesus is the Son of God (they all respond yes, praise the Lord!) and if they will be willing to let him be Lord of their life. I don’t think they comprehend that last part so much…sometimes we use the terminology of “forever friend” but that cheapens it to me a little bit. Nonetheless, they know Him, pray to Him and I believe love Him. Some have questioned that my kids don’t know enough Bible. No offense to my parents or home congregations, but I think they know more than I did at their ages, respectively. And they are continuing to learn. They certainly can find a scripture if you give them a little time. [reading it and comprehending it is another thing] I’ll confess they don’t have a hunger for His Word…well, maybe my . But that confession comes more out of my mouth that I haven’t hungered for it. So they have not seen that in their spiritual leader. I continue to pray for a revived heart and passion.

Anyway, just a peek into me.
Blessings

Some people ask "Wire?" We ask "Wire not?"

2005-07-24T23:10:00.000-05:00

(Note...saw this written at woot.com...found it funny so grabbed most all of it and adapted a little bit. Enjoy!)

The National Institute of Fictional Statistics estimates that, at current rates of growth, computer networking cables will make up 41% of the Earth's total mass by 2017. Large tangles of cable in major metropolitan centers are already visible from outer space, and their combined weight has been cited as a contributing factor in soil erosion and seismic activity. Ultimately, they predict, all human society will be oriented toward the manufacture and service of these cables, to the detriment of traditional industries such as agriculture, textiles, and LiveStrong bracelet production.

But there is something you can do. There is something we all can do. We need to go wireless in all aspects of life! Start looking around the house, if it has a wire...replace it. Cetainly the computer areas of your home can become wireless networks as well as phones. But think outside the box, washer and dryer, iron, tv, lamps. Join neighborhood programs to network these appliances. Folks, if we don't do something now, think of what this world will become.

The clock is ticking, but it's not too late to avert the network-cable catastrophe that some call "Wiremageddon." Network simply so that others may simply network, or our descendents will survey their wire-strangled world and curse our blind attitudes.

Ebay & Lakewood Church

2005-07-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

I just won on ebay!!! Our computer at home is only 3 years old, however, Gateway no longer has the specific memory one needs to add to it. So looked around some shops and saw that I could pay $100 for 256mb. Went to ebay and bid and got 512mb for $110. I like that and now our home computer, after adding the service pack 2 from microsoft, won't be noticably slow!

I'm still reading "Blue Like Jazz" and I am enjoying it! But I just don't take the time to read on any routine basis. Hopefully I'll finish at some point in the near future. I really like his honesty and simplicity when it comes to Christianity and a relationship with Jesus. I'm also going to "skim" through Joel Osteen's new book, "Your Best Life Now."

Ali and I watched, I guess, both grand openings of Lakewood Church (Saturday evening and Sunday morning services) over the weekend. I actually fell asleep watching them. It was larger than life! First, I couldn't comprehend the old Summit/Compaq being used week in/out as a gathering place for a church. It was massive! Everytime they would pan the crowd, it was like something you would expect at a conference. Anyway, what I'm most curious about is Osteen himself. I found and read a few blogs the other day all from the beginning of the year (this one first, then this one, then this one) and basically they slammed the guy as an apostate/heretic/wolf in sheeps clothing. I don't know, but found it curious as I read/skimmed over them.

I'll look through the book and see for myself. I know when I first saw him on TV in Houston, I enjoyed him...and I know several others who have noted that their life changed because of what he says.

Two CD's

2005-07-14T08:44:00.000-05:00

Two in one week, wow! A couple of things: I listend to two CD's this week. One is a music CD I get with my Worship Leader subscription, more on that in a moment. The other CD I listened to was from Willowcreek's "Defining Moments" (a product of a roundtable discussion that they send out monthly?!?) Anyway, the topic for this one was "Pastors and ."

They had Bill Hybles and Nancy Beach were joined by two guys who started church.com. The plea was for pastors to not skirt the issue of addressing this topic, but to say that it is so rampant that it must be addressed. I don't disagree at all! To many men (and women) see this as something that must stay hidden, but God's truth would plead for it to be brought out into the light. The website has the odd subtitle of "#1 Christian site." It is totally a tool to help beat this addiction. What struck me most was something that Hybles said

When it comes to guys who struggle with this addiction "their prayer lives are not often consisting of asking God to end the war, or to feed the hungry, or to hel the situations of great oppression and suffering around the world. Two-thirds of their prayer time is 'O God, would you forgive me for yet another night of spending 4 hours in front of a computer screen.' It becomes shame management.

Isn't that incredible, and yet I totally understand and have been there. What a demon! If you are struggling, it's not enough to tell you to hang in there. You need to expose it! Feel free to call or email me if you need to. And if you tell your wife and she needs to talk to someone, my wife knows all of this about me and is a great source of help. (Hope I didn't freak anyone out!)

As mentioned, I got the new Worship Leader magazine which comes with a CD with fairly new music on it. I ove getting it and listening for stuff to bring to our Body at Southlake and to honor God. Bebo Norman's "Nothing Without You" was the first song and I couldn't get past it (although I've put it in now and let it go...good stuff!) I listened like 10 times, pulling out my guitar and playing along. What an incredible song!

Nothing Without You Written By: Jeffrey Stephen Norman & Mitch Dane
Sung by Bebo Norman on album "Try
© 2004 New Spring Publishing, Inc. / Appstreet Music / Rotten Banana Music

INTRO:  D2(no3)  [4 measures]

VERSE 1:
         D(no3)              Asus
Take these hands and lift them up
         Bm                                    G2(no3)                   
For I have not the strength to praise you near e-nough
          D(no3)
See, I have nothing
     Asus            D(no3)
I have nothing without  You

VERSE 2:
         D(no3)            Asus
So take my voice and pour it out
     Bm                             G2(no3)
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
         D(no3)
For I have nothing
     Asus           D(no3)
I have nothing without You

CHORUS:
         G    D  
And all my soul needs
          G               Bm
Is all Your   love to cover me
     A   G          D
So all the world will see
          A
That I have nothing  [2x to BRIDGE]
      D
Without You

VERSE 3:
     D(no3)             Asus
Take my body and build it up
        Bm                       G2(no3)             
May it be broken as an offering of love
         D(no3)
For I have nothing
     Asus            D(no3)
I have nothing without You   [back to CHORUS]

BRIDGE:
          Bm7     Asus      G2(no3)
That I love     You  (yeah)
          Bm     A    G2
With all my     heart
          Bm     A    G2
With all my     soul
          Bm     A    Em9
With all my     mind
          A                   A  (let ring)
And all the strength that I can find

VERSE 4:
      D(no3)            Asus
Take my time here on this earth
         Bm                       G2(no3)
And let it glorify all that You are worth
       D2(no3)
For I am nothing
   Asus            D(no3)
I am nothing without You

Be blessed!

Service Banks

2005-07-12T09:07:00.000-05:00

On Sunday night, our small group discussed Jesus as a a servant with the story line being the washing of his disciples feet (another side story was the good samaritan). Anyway, we had a great discussion about how we should be "servers" as well. We talked about adopting a local family as a small group and blessing them throughout the year...going to nursing homes and blessing those who may be forgotten...on an international spectrum, each family join an organization like Compassion International and adopting a child for $30 a month.

I like all those and we are trying to make them a priority in our small group. What intrigued me the most, and what I've actually been thinking about but didn't know how to go about it, was organizing a "service bank." In essence, someone has a need, "deposits" that need into the bank, then someone else with that ability, gift, talent, resource would "withdraw" that need and take care of it. Maybe the bank analogy is way off, but imagine some needs:

you're going out of town and need...your lawn mowed, mail picked up, pets cared for.
a ride to a doctor's appointment.
childcare.
help with a utility or medical bill.
down to one car due to a wreck and need to borrow one for a short time.
clothes for your kids and "gently used" hand-me-downs will do.
someone who can't see well would love someone to come by and read to them.

I know the list could go on...what would you add? I'm not sure I'm the guy to organize this, it certainly seems as though it could become a huge undertaking, but I really believe this is what the body of Christ should be doing! We all need something at some time or another and we all have something to give!

Guilt & Colorado Mountains

2005-07-07T23:24:00.000-05:00

OK! It has been awhile...not that I care all that much, but wow...the guilt and peer pressure weigh in! A potential new friend slammed me on the lack of my blogging, which caused several others to chime in as well only to become a recurring joke of the night. So out of that guilt, I write.

Actually, I have something I can write about. Last week I got to join a great friend, Eric Fridge, and kids from his youth group on a trek in Colorado. I climbed my first "14-er" and camped where there were no public restrooms (check that, no public toilets!) We white water rafted on Monday then hiked on Tuesday through Thursday. I climbed Mount Missouri and while thrilling, very grueling! The feeling of accomplishment was amazing and the view of God's majesty was spectacular! The unofficial theme song for me all week as "Surround Us, Lord" and to see mountain range after mountain range was a great message from God to me. I have kept trying to force God into just being in my prayer time (or lack there of) or into my Bible reading (or lack there of) or in my worship of Him and God reminded me that while He is in those places, He is everywhere else as well. As the mountains surrounded me that day on the summit, so the Lord surrounds me! I know that seems elementary, but it was so profound on that day! Truly a refreshing and what a great group of guys I was with...amazing maturity and love for the Lord as well as the want for authentic relationships! Keep pressing on you mighty men!

On Tuesday night, our band rehearsal night getting ready for Sunday, I came empty handed. I had nothing planned...we talked and prayed (prayed for Kyle C.'s dad who had surgery today and it all went well!) and then we just worshiped. It was a great night letting God plan what's in store for this Sunday!

I enjoyed getting to spend time with Eric and then got to be with Val Durrington as well as Brad & Jennifer Crisp (she's Ali's sister and what great friends they are...they're the type I'd want to be around even if I wasn't related to them...it's just great that I am!) Hooked up with Ali's folks and cousins and aunt and uncle as well! And then finally caught up with my buddy Ron Clyde! It has been a good week!

Blessings to you all!

One Day At a Time

2005-05-31T14:30:00.000-05:00

Man, the abuse I've taken on my Star Wars review hasn't been pretty! Thanks to all the comments, and yes, I probably should go see it again and not focus on Anakin, but I still stand by what I wrote about. And I will agree with one anonymous comment that Windu was a bad actor as well...mercy! And I didn't even mention the lightsaber scenes...while cool and effects were nice, a little long!

We had a great Memorial Day weekend and our gathering on Sunday morning was a great morning. David Meyer, one of our veterens from Iraq, drew the parallel of memorial day to communion and it was awesome as was his presentation of the American flag to the body as a thank you for love and support during that time.

Ali has been reading a book called "Grace-filled Parenting" (I think that's the name) and I read a chapter out of it yesterday...more convicted on giving my kids some slack as God gives it to me. Discipline will still be there, but there truly are some things where grace needs to be in place, i.e., my oldest and his need to be rid of his shoes in every kind of environment.

Life is still busy and this summer doesn't necessarily mean that it will slow down. I'm going to be teaching in our elementary program and am very excited about the curriculum we have. VBS is next week and we are doing a Marketplace theme...exciting! Then we have some travels to San Antonio, Belton, Abilene before heading back home.

Finally, had a bizarre dream early Sunday morning. I was on a game show of sorts and the jist of the game was to guess what TV show the line came from. I was on a role (hey, it was my dream) and the stuff was coming from Gilligan's Island, Brady Bunch, Dukes of Hazzard, etc. (Wierd that there were no shows from my life!) Anyway, the last question was a quote that I knew was from the show One Day At A Time, and it was Dwayne Schneider, the super, who said it. I clicked the buzzer, said "one day at a time" and got it WRONG. The answer came back as "Be Near" I was mad because there was no show called Be Near...and then I woke up. Now I'm one who begs God to speak to me in every possible way but must admit, I have yet to discern his still, small voice so matter of factly. But could this be...

One Day At a Time to Be Near...whether anyone would agree with me or not, it is ironic/coincidental/maybe even spiritual. I need to Be Near or Draw Near every day...taking it One Day at a Time. (In all of this, I'm not sure that Schneider plays any significant part, i.e. the role of God or something). But my odd dream...what do you think?

Star Wars, Friends & Death

2005-05-23T20:12:00.000-05:00

What a title! At least 3 things I want to touch on. I'll start with the last and work to the first.

Wylie Brown died on Friday and his funeral is tomorrow in Abilene at Southern Hills at 10 a.m. I, along with several from our staff and church will plan on attending. You see, Wylie was a great man of God who served as a Shepherd at Southlake Blvd. Church. His wife, Alice, was our Children's minister as well. Due to declining health in Wylie (a couple of strokes and other illnesses) Alice had to retire and devote full time to Wylie. But now this giant of a man, spiritually and physically (I think he was in the 6' 9" catagory) is no longer groaning in his earthly tent. Praise God for that! Wylie loved gospel music and had a great deep bass voice. He will be missed and yet we will see him again. I can't wait to see Alice just to hug on her!

This past weekend we went to Sugar Land, Texas and got to see great friends! We stayed with Ron & Penny and were treated like royalty at their home. They are an amazing couple full of the Holy Spirit with just as amazing kids. I may get in trouble on this next part, but I want to name names. We loved getting to see so many friends this trip. The Fridges, Lindseys, Gowens, Beasleys, Roberts, along with the Clydes and Dana Wright (missed Shiela!) all gathered for worship on Friday night. An awesome night of praise, prayer and confession! Then we were able to see all the staff and elders of the First Colony Church of Christ at the home of the Normans on Saturday night. Then on Sunday morning we saw EVERYONE! Brenda, Bryans (great talking with Don), Billingslys, Parks, Smiths, Rhodes, Menefees, Hamiltons, Stirmans, Carlisles, Calverts, Wolfes, Waddills, Aarons, Crowders, and many, many more. Dana, thanks for opening up your home and being such a great host as we invaded your new "theater" room (nice!) and watching IRobot! And Ron, I love pool cleaning! I'm still thinking about it and even though you won't believe me, that was the most fun!

Now this leads me to my review of Star Wars Episode III. If you haven't seen it and don't want anything spoiled...stop reading!

I did not totally enjoy this movie as so many others have. Two of my coworkers and I got into a fist fight over this today. They both have black eyes and I have some teeth missing along with some scratches (just kidding). I thought the actor for Anakin was WEAK! and he did not help his co-stars by his lack of acting. I tolarated Padme and liked ObiWan as well as Yoda (a puppet!). I appreciated the understanding of the transformation of Anakin to Darth Vader and thought that was a great part of the movie, from his time next to the lava flow to becoming DV. All the while new life being born with the birth of Luke and his sister. Some GRIPES:

Is Padme of human origin? If so, the timeline sure did not seem to take nine months to form and even if it did, she was not big enough to have had those twins at their size!

If the master Jedi were truly "masters" (and I mean those quotes in the most sarcastic way possible) then why couldn't they feel the "shift" in the "force" when all the people around them "turned" and sabotaged them. Come on, the puppet felt it! Yet aside from Anakin, they were ALL "masters!"

Finally, when Anakin stopped Samuel L Jackson from finishing off the sith, then the sith threw SLJ (I think his name was Windu) out the window, Anakin at first said "What have I done?" and said this in the most pathetic non-acting way possible. Then in an awkard two second pause turned and bowed to the sith and claimed him his master! It was too easy and fast. I understand that "good intentions" of wanting to go to the dark side out of love for his wife, but seriously!

Sorry, one more little thing: how is it that NO ONE KNEW of Anakin and Padme's relationship...even Obiwan!

That's it! Sorry for the length. Be blessed!

Butterfly Kisses Dance

2005-05-07T13:40:00.000-05:00

Last night I had the most wonderful time with my daughter. Our church put on a butterfly kisses dance and it was the best! We both dressed up and she was so hilarious going. I'd open the door for her and she would be so "tomboy" about it all, rolling her eyes. The night started with a picture, some punch, making some Hair Wreaths, eating a light buffet and then the men gathering in a circle facing our s. We quoted a pledge to them of love and protection, we blessed the 5th grade s that were present, then prayed. Then the dancing began with a slow dance to the song "Butterfly Kisses." Elizabeth did great but by the end was ready for the slow song to be over. When it was done, her word was "Finally!"

Then we got into the chicken dance, YMCA, Hand Jive, Bunny Hop, Hokie Pokie and a miriad of other great 60's - 80's tunes. In those songs, my went wild. What a "crazy dancer" as she called it. It was a "freeform" of swing dancing. I worked up a great sweat. Then we went to ride the horse and carriage, prentending that we were in the land of Genovia and waving as a prince and princess should. Came back in and immediately went to the "Build Your own Sundae Bar"...MMMMMMMM! More Dancing with the final song being Butterfly kisses once again. This time, I picked her up and held her and we danced cheek to cheek watching the slide show of all the pictures sent in by all the parents of these s.

The only time I cried was during the last verse of the song when the little is getting married and the line say..."And she leaned over/and gave me butterfly kisses/with her mama there/putting little white flowers all up in her hair!" Everytime I think about that scene that I pray is WAY OUT IN THE FUTURE, I choke up...I love that thought and it's more about Alison than Elizabeth! Anyway, the only place I messed up is that her curew was 9 and I didn't get her home until about 9:20!!! Got to nip that in the bud, huh!

Precious memory, no doubt!

BUSY, BUSY!

2005-05-04T07:35:00.000-05:00

What a crazy week! Aside from a days work, on Monday night I had a committee meeting in regards to our pulpit minister selection; on Tuesday it was double duty...I helped our preshool with the sound while they put on an excellent program and we had our worship ministry rehearsal/gathering; tonight we have our Wednesday gathering and then following I'll be in another meeting relating to our Elder selection process; tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer and we are "hosting" the event at an outside location at the noon hour, then tomorrow night will be part two of the preschool program; Friday night our church is putting on a father/daughter dance and my only duty is to have a great "date" with my 7 year old. Saturday will be a day of rest!!

BUSY, BUSY! And I know I'm not alone...whether here in the DFW area or anywhere else in this Blog world. But I was reminded last night of keeping things of importance on thr forefront, i.e., my family! I don't want to look back and think about how great it was that I was on "this" committee or a part of "that" meeting or that we had such great "worship rehearsals," and yet my family suffered. I, we, all need to refocus our priorities! Help me, Lord!

Blessings to you today!

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

2005-05-03T06:56:00.000-05:00

I'm back? I must say I have many excuses running in my head as to why the long pause in blogging. My first thought was to get on to everybody for continuing to blog when EVERYONE knows April is national don't blog month. But that's just not true, it's actually don't clog month! Then I thought I'd be pious and tell everyone about the great virtue of fasting from blogging...oh how it enriches the soul! But that's just not true as well.

Truth, as I see it, is that I'm not a good journaler! I'm the kid in highschool who would get the assignment September 6th to turn in a journal December 15th...and so on December 14th I'm staying up late with 4 different colored pens making up stuff with the most common entry being "I didn't feel like journaling today!" The grade wasn't based on content but on participation, so I would get an A. (I found this worked in college as well, but don't tell anyone!)

So that's my dilemma when it comes to blogging. I love the concept and idea...I enjoy reading other's thoughts...but I have a difficult time getting motivated to do it! I thought putting a quote up and playing a game would make it more interesting for me, and for a time it was (Congratulations, Val, on winning--you may collect your prizes of a pen and magnet next time I see you!)

Actually, life has been hectic and today is no different. the month of May is no different. But sometimes you just have to knuckle down and go for it! So after all that, what's up in my world...

Not much!

Just kidding! The work at Southlake is going well. Planning and leading the worship is great and I love the people I'm around. I love and enjoy my workers as well as those involved in our worship ministry. We're searching for a pulpit minister/senior pastor/teaching minister-pastor and I'm on the committee. It's an amazing committee of dedicated people all coming in submission to the Lord and to one another with the emphasis of calling upon and listening to the God. We are in the process of choosing additional shepherds and I will be involved in it. (Not becoming a shepherd, but all the pre-stuff). Our church is in charge of the area wide National Day of Prayer on Thursday and I've got that hat on as well. And what is funny to me about not blogging for a while is that I am now the IT director in our office. THAT HAS BEEN A HEADACHE THAT I HOPE IS NOW RESOLVED AND TRULY ON THE BASCK BURNER! And I think that it is.

Now, before you feel sorry for me (and very few of you would) I'm not the only one going full steam ahead, we all at the office are going full steam ahead. And it is a good thing! Just pray for us.

Finally, my family is doing well. I love Alison so much and she has been very strong throughout all of this job stuff. And we talk which is a must. The kids are doing are also doing well. Elizabeth is standing over my shoulder and just saw her name on the screen. She's a little antsy about a field trip today. We get to go to a Daddy/Daughter dance on Friday night...I'm pumped! The the next weekend, is Daddy/Son camping and so David, Andrew and I will go and face the great unknown. OK, I need to go make lunches for everyone one. Hello Blog World!!!

This World is Not My Home.

2005-03-21T16:01:00.000-06:00

In my last, it was supposed to say that "I watched death today" but somehow never got that word in there and thus, it probably didn't make much sense.

Anyway, David Johnson did die...about 12 hours after I visited with his family and then spoke to him & blessed him. When I went into his room on last Monday, his eyes were rolled back into his head, no movement other than the slow rising of his chest as he labored to breath. Before I left, I spoke these words to him (assuming he could hear me and I believe he could): David, your has been well taken care of by friends and extended family. You have done a great job leading them as the head of your household. I want to assure you that as a church we will be here and do our best to be involved with your family.

I also told him about the new body that he would be receiving that would be pain and cancer free. And acknowledged that I will see him around the throne, praising God. In some ways, I have been envious of David's . Not in a morbid way because I do want to continue to live out this life to the fullest, but in a "faith" sort of way. As the old hymn declares, this world is not my home.

On another note, had a great discussion in our home team last night about Faith, Hope & Love and that faith is the "undergerding" of it all. It literally stands under and holds up Hope...and it is that hope that gives us the love to declare to others. AMEN.

Been Awhile

2005-03-14T19:58:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME (this is the game where one guesses the quote/song lyric and who said/sang it...all for one point and name on the board)

"Heywood leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair."

I know it's been awhile...if anyone reads this...welcome back.

I had a great time going skiing with great friends a few weeks back.(Thanks to Mom & Dad for watching the kids)

I watched today. David Johnson, whom I blogged about earlier, will pass from this life most likely this week. He has gone into a coma. Cancer is so devestating.

It's spring break now (for the next 2 weeks).

Still loving God, life, wife and fam, as well as the Southlake Blvd. Church.

Holy Spirit Blank Checks?

2005-02-27T22:40:00.000-06:00

Well, I can't believe no one has gotten the Bonus Time...it's still open for any takers.

I took a couple of tests and figured I would share and then get on to other pressing matters.

Off all the people that took this loser test, I'm cooler than over half. But the fact that I'm posting it, does that make me a loser.

And the other nice thing is I'm not going to die until I'm at least:

As I mentioned in my last blog, I went to a conference last week and the main topic was about healing. I don't know if I am just such an infant I don't get it, if my faith is so small that nothing can be done, or if my ubelief is so gargantuan that I wouldn't have a clue anyway. One of the speakers, Thurman Scrivner, basically came at it with the idea that "If God says it, then I'm going to take Him at His Word and act & believe upon those promises." And so he quotes these "Supernatural Promises of God" or "HOLY SPIRIT BLANK CHECKS" then simply believes, and then shares the stories of healings that occur. Here are a few of the scriptures he might use with the Promises in Red:

Matt 8:13
3 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED, SO LET IT BE DONE FOR YOU." And his servant was healed that same hour. NKJV

Matt 18:18-20
18 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning ANYTHING THAT THEY ASK, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." NKJV

Matt 19:25-26
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God ALL
THINGS ARE POSSIBLE." NKJV

Mark 11:22-24
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 THEREFORE I SAY TO YOU, WHATEVER THINGS YOU ASK WHEN YOU PRAY, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM, AND YOU WILL HAVE THEM." NKJV

John 14:12-14
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and GREATER WORKS than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 IF YOU ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME, I WILL DO IT. NKJV

John 16:23-24
23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME HE WILL GIVE YOU. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. ASK, AND YOU WILL RECEIVE, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL. NKJV

His thought is if you pray these verses, you will do and receive amazing things. I know this sounds like a "Health & Prosperity Gospel" but what if...(does that sound like a shaky faith). I certainly don't have any answers, but I am searching and that is a good thing. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter?

Healing

2005-02-24T16:49:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"There are all manner of lesser imps and demons, but the great satan his-self is red and scaly with a bifurcated tail, and he carries a hay fork."

I've been at a conference today that ends tomorrow night. You can read about it at www.amberrosemusic.com. The conference is all about healing.

I'll try to write more later, but sometimes I just really feel like I don't get it. Am I really that ignorant or do I really have so much unbelief?

Upward Basketball

2005-02-22T23:59:00.000-06:00

Bonus Time

We can reach, we can beach on the shores of Tripoli.
we can sail, we can sail
sail away, sail away, sail away

David has been playing Upward basketball (love the program and will try to explain more about it later). His team is undefeated (they don't keep track of the records, everybody does well), and he has come a long way in the 8-10 weeks worth of practices and games. Tonight at his practice I watched him actually scrap for a ball and then turn and score it! (Yea, David!!)

He is still trying to figure out his tall, lanky body. There is some lack of coordination, no doubt like his Daddy, but I've been so proud of him and his "sticktoitiveness." He really is a great kid, especially on those occasions, as rare as they may be, when he plays and cares for his little sister and brother. When he wants to be a helper in the kitchen. When he just wants you to lay down next to him and talk.

Of course then there are the other times when he is amazing mean to his siblings, when he would much rather watch TV or play Gameboy than help anywhere and is totally bugged that you are still hanging out in his room...Ahhhh, I love him!

He's a great kid with a great hug!

A quick note on Upward: I think the neatest thing is the stars they give out...each color has a meaning and you iron them onto the basketball shirt as the year goes on. The green star is for scripture learning and those are given after each practice if the memory verse has been learned. The rest of the stars are distributed following the game: blue is for best effort, gold/best sportsmanship, gray/best offense, red/best defense, and white/Christlikeness.

(from their site) Upward offers an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for kindergarten through sixth grade boys and s that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child. In addition to basketball, Upward offers cheerleading and soccer programs to complete your Upward ministry. Upward provides opportunities for volunteers from all walks of life to become meaningfully involved in the ministries of your church. They will have the opportunity to pray for your program, coach a team, referee a game, share a devotion, and develop relationships in order to open avenues of ministry to the people of your community who will participate in your program.

In Just Two Weeks

2005-02-20T15:00:00.000-06:00

Still got a Bonus out on the previous post, Everyday.

This well written article pretty much sums up the attraction of blogging on the grand scale that has taken America by storm. Now it's the mainstream media (MSM) trying to catch up with public opinion and the new search for truth. Well, not necessarily Truth all the time, but...

On Thurday I had started a blog entitled An Encouraging Prayer from King David. Well, I'd like to finish that thought today.

This morning at our gathering, it was truly for God, about God and all in tune with God. In Thursday's blog, I refered to I Chronicles 29:10-13. Now I want to share 14-20:

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.
Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD , the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king.

Keep that scripture in mind. Two weeks ago we shared with our Body several needs and laid out our direction as a body. All this brought about after much prayer. In essence, our building has been in need of repair & upkeep for some time. Our Children's area has needed to be updated and to become more inviting. Several other things were also involved with the total coming to $169,000. The invitation was to "step into the flooded river and and watch God part the water and allow us to move forward on dry ground."

Well, today we shared the amazing joy of giving to the Lord and celebrated who He is by declaring that we reached this goal. IN JUST TWO WEEKS! Praise the Lord, our God! "And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you." It has truly been an awesome day. I'm very excited about the future with God at the controls.

Everyday

2005-02-19T10:07:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME (I'm going to make a little change...all correct answers from this point forward will be awarded one point instead of two. Val has the commanding lead thus far with 9 while Brian and Jenni are tied at 3 in second place).

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Speaking of Val above...check out his blog for good writing as well as another fun game of thinking of songs with certain words in them. (Link is to the right).

Looking forward to our gathering tomorrow. God WILL be glorified because He is the one who has done great and awesome things. His promises never fail and His mercies are new .

An Encouraging Prayer from King David

2005-02-15T17:25:00.000-06:00

Bonus Time

"It's not that I'm lazy. It's that I just don't care."

Had a great time yesterday singing and playing with Kyle Conway for his daughter's 1st grade class. The cartoon song just knocks them over everytime. The principal showed up and wants to get us in for a chapel sometime. Ahhhh success!

Here is an encouraging prayer from King David (I Chronicles 29:10ff):

"Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, O LORD , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD , is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

I'm going to save the rest for another day soon. But I love the humility with which David comes before Mighty God. Acknowledging Him as the greatest, even though in the earthly realm David was pretty great. He says this in front of the whole assembly, reflecting any glory that man was trying to put on to David back on to God. And then He was able to show that all of the wealth he had, wasn't his at all, but God's and it was a pleasure to give it back to Him. Time, Talent and Tithe...continue giving it all back to God."

Renovating Our Character

2005-02-13T21:41:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"I'd better not. I have what doctors call a little bit of a weight problem. I used to grab bear claws as a kid, two at a time, and I'd get them lodged right in this region here."

I "preached" this at church this morning.

Renovating Our Character

First, this letter (2 Peter) is special, because Peter writes it in full awareness of his imminent (read 1:14). Keep this in mind as you read on!

2 Peter 1:3-8 NIV
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

I want you to see 2 pictures of Jesus (there are more)

A. He is the Christ of very great and precious promises: In Him, promises come true. In 2 Corinthians 1:20 Paul puts it another way when he says all the promises of God are Yes and Amen in Christ. Christ confirms and guarantees these promises saying “Yes! So let it be.” (From a devo guide on the net) He promises to:
1. …personally motivate and empower this renovation process through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:13).
2. …sovereignly oversee this renovation process, working through everything that happens to us (good and bad) to accomplish it (Rom. 8:28).
3. …never give up on us, but to constantly initiate character renovation until it is completed when Christ returns (Phil. 1:6).

B. He is the Christ who makes us sharers in the divine nature: Our humanness alone cannot make us divine...think about bitterness, hatred, , etc.; moral failure and frustration is rampant. Then here comes Jesus declaring that we humans are capable of becoming sharers in the divine nature. John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” William Barclay says “He became what we are to make us what he is.”

So let’s begin the renovating process. For this very reason, make every effort to add…

"Diligence" (spoude--these words in parenthesis are the greek): used to describe the way that Olympic athletes "give it all they have" as they approach the tape. Paul uses this image in Col. 1:28-29 (read). It is to "put your whole heart into your work."

"Add” or “Supply" (epichorego): means "to equip" a word used to describe how wealthy art patrons tried to outdo each other in providing materials, personnel and equipment for theater productions. It is to "spare no expense."

So a better reading...for this reason, give it all you have to equip yourself sparing no expense on...

First, it all starts with Faith, which is the conviction of what Jesus Christ says is true. It is the unquestioning certainty that the way to happiness and peace and strength on earth and in heaven is to accept Him at His word.

To faith we must stack "Moral excellence" (arete): A rare term in the NT ("virtue") or more like Courage to show who you are and who you serve.

"Knowledge" (gnosis): Not academic or natural knowledge (which is the Greek word sophia and is a good thing), but thinking and discernment…a practical knowledge. Taking sophia and using it in certain situations is gnosis. (I then offered an example between knowing Music theory and being able to play the guitar/piano.) This is what Paul calls "the mind of Christ"—the ability to view every major area of life in light of God's revealed truth.

"Self-control" (egkrateia): Literally, the ability to take a grip of oneself. A will that is trained and strengthened to say "no" to inappropriate and unprofitable desires (Sensual desires; Laziness; materialism; Pride; Vengeance). This is so different from the freedom urged by our culture, which is actually not freedom at all, but enslavement to & passions. Self-control is reason fighting with passion and reason winning. Yea, but passion is what God has given me? Barclay says, “Imagine a situation in which your passions remain but are under perfect control and so become your servants…not your tyrants."

"Patient Endurance" (hupomone): Steadfastness, Perseverance or just patience. The proven ability to pursue God's will in spite of adversity. Instead of being so afraid of pain that we cave in and quit as soon as it gets rough, we "hang in there" by drawing encouragement and strength from God to fulfill his mission. We don’t simply accept and endure; we always have a forward look. Hebrews 12:2. “who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” Jesus hupomone'd!!!

"Godliness" (eusebia): An untranslatable word. Barclay uses Piety but says that’s not adequate due to the fact that it carry’s negative connotations. The great characteristic of Eusebia is that it looks in two directions. One who always worships God and gives him his due; but he always serves his fellow men and gives them their due. Jesus said the greatest command is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And the second is like it…love your neighbor as yourself.

"Brotherly affection" (philadelphia): Christian relationships that are characterized by affection, affirmation and encouragement; rather than uninvolved, uncaring, and negatively critical. What Peter is basically saying is that there is something wrong with the religion that claims relationships to be a nuisance. And even this is not enough, it must all be wrapped up in...

"Love" (agape): This is the way God loves us—not just those who love him, but also those who him. God’s love causes the sun to rise on the just and unjust. He sends his rain on the evil and the good. Not for what he can get back from us, but it’s given freely and without expectation of return. It’s this kind of love that needs to renovate. It shows us to have a lifestyle characterized by sacrificial service to others, and it shows us satisfaction in the act of giving.

So here is the promise: (NLT) 8The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For some of us, we are seeing no progress simply because our attitudes are passive about the whole renovation! We say, "If God wants to change me, I'm sure he'll do it whether I cooperate or not." Instead, we should say to God, "I want you to change me more than anything else, and I am willing to cooperate with you in whatever ways you show me."

A great morning with amazing communion time!

Blessings Be On You

2005-02-10T14:22:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

You just think about Noah totin' his umbrella when there wasn't a cloud in the sky
All his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe and they'd snicker as he passed by
But the Lord said Hey Noah be cool, just keep buildin' that boat
It's just a matter of time and we'll see who's gonna float

Well, this past weekend, Mike Armour who has been our interim preacher since January, had a heart attack followed by quadruple bypass surgery. Pray for him and his family. So the focus for this Sunday will be "coming to the table" with communion on tables throughout the auditorium.

I'm really excited about the future here at SBC. A lot of neat God things are coming into place. I want/need to be more and more in prayer regarding all this. Our search committee meetings (2 thus far) have been very beneficial and productive. The unity among the staff, elders and leaders is tight. It is a good thing...my prayers would not only be for the future of SBC but of thanksgiving to God for allowing me & my family the opportunity to be here right now.

Blessings be on you...if you are not in God's Word, get into it. If you aren't talking to Him on a daily basis, begin now. If you are not laying down the sinful nature on a daily basis, and then picking up the cross, do it...do it...do it!

Envying David Johson

2005-02-09T01:05:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"First time I've ever been early for work! Except for all those 'daylight savings' days... lousy farmers!"

Here you go...2 points for who said it (which, hint, would also denote the name of the show)

Mike Dotson, one of our shepherds, and I went to David Johnson's house to pray for him. David is dying, cancer has a hold of him. It amazed me how different he looked and acted after not seeing him for 3 weeks. So much more frail, his mind more lucid. It was sad! But as Mike prayed, I found myself envying David. Not the pain he is in, not to have cancer, not to be bedridden.But as Mike prayed about David's new healthy body, getting to walk the streets of gold, seeing God face to face...I desired that as well. I'm ready for home...that home. Not that I'm begging to leave my family, but I found myself envying David today.

LIFE is good

2005-02-07T23:46:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"You are a sad strange little man. You have my pity."

What's going on world? Things in Elliottville are great! I've been in a Wild @ Heart study and i'm getting more confused as we go. I've got to talk with my father!

We had a great time gathered with the body this past Sunday! Amazing worship and finally, a direction!!! Ron H. did a great job laying out who we are as a church and what the needs are on the front end. "It is well with my soul" and "days of elijah" were fabulous. And "Be thou my vision" was very appropriate and very well done (thanks Sharon).

I'm the new IT director at church...very scary! Yet I'm trying. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated. Worship is still the main gig and I'm loving that!!

LIFE is good!

Moses standing before God

2005-02-01T01:22:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"The line it is drawn/ The curse it is cast/ The slow one now/ Will later be fast."

It's extremely early Tuesday morning and I should get to bed and go to sleep, but...

OK, I've sat here for 2 minutes trying to figure out what to write and in the process have yawned quite a bit.

I'm rearranging and painting my office...it's different! I'll try to get some pics and post them!

How many of you discount your abilities and talents? Knowing and believing that God gave them to you, anointed you with them and yet you just don't believe you can "pull it off?" That's my struggle right now. It's like Moses standing before God claiming to not be a good speaker and God (I imagine) fuming, telling Moses that He indeed made his mouth. Even after God urged, encouraged and maybe even got a little forceful with Moses, Moses still discounted his abilities. That's me right now. Why is that? Anyone else ever feel that? The saddest part of this realization is that it occurred to me only after hearing the words come from my 8-year olds mouth that he "can't do it?" And while my words tell him, "Yes you can" my actions say otherwise!

Off to bed...

Roman Empire & USA

2005-01-27T10:45:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"I don't mind you comin' here/And wastin' all my time/Cause when you're standin' oh so near/I kinda lose my mind"

Nobody got the last BT (Glass Tiger, Don't forget me when I'm gone...oh how soon we forget!)

Learned about this in our Men's Bible Study as we are studying Romans. This Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m., the text wasChapter 1:18-32:

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to ual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful s. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with for one another. Men committed acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, , strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, Godhaters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve , they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Back in the late 1700's, a British parliamentarian and soldier named Edward Gibbon wrote a book entitled The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire . There are some reviews you can check out at the link. Anyway, our teacher, Bernard, said that Gibbon gives five reasons for the fall of Rome. Check them out, keepin the above passage in mind, and tell me what you think:

1. Undermining of the family unit
2. Overtaxation of the people
3. Mad craze for pleasure
4. Great armement to fight those outside their borders
5. Decay of religious faith

I Peter Thoughts

2005-01-25T08:56:00.000-06:00

On Sunday's, we have been going through 1 Peter and I will say it has been very good. The thoughts heard on Sunday morning carry over into our Sunday evening small group discussion. I love hearing everyone's thoughts. Anyway, one of the speakers points that has stayed with me is in reference to a slide he had shown called (I think) the hierachy principle:

Spiritual Essence

Identity

Values Beliefs & Convictions

Attitudes

Skills & Abilities

Behavior

Settings & Situations

They all interrelate (your settings and situations affect your behavior which affect your skills and abilities, etc) but rather than working it this way and only staying focused on the bottom half, his urge was that we move near the top and discover those and watch them change the bottom portion. (At least this is what I got out of it and it is helping!!)

So, on Sunday evening & Monday morning I confessed to our small group and staff at church about my angry "behavior" towards my children. I don't like it. I have tried and tried to conrol this "behavior" especially in the "settings and situations" where my children are disobedient, defiant or disrespectful. And while I can lay the law down, the anger that comes from within I can only think is more damaging than the correction needed. (I must admit, I'm embarrassed sharing this.)

However, what I have focused on for so long is the "behavior." I've prayed for it to change, for newness, I've tried to go the route of counting to ten before responding (this actually helps), but ultimately, I fail everytime. So nowI am trying to focus on my "spiritual essence" and my "identity". Mike Armour said "If we wear God's name we should bear his nature." I Peter 1:15-16, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" I need to become what I am...holy...that is my essence and identity. If I can focus on that, then my behavior would change to one that is more like Christ, right?

Just some thoughts...still thinking!

Just time for a game...

2005-01-24T23:40:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

You take my breath away/Love thinks it's here to stay/There's still so much for me to do/And I can't stop loving you/Oh can this be true

Darth Tater

2005-01-20T21:58:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"What's the soup du jour?"
Waiter: "It's the soup of the day."
"Mmm... that does sound good."

Here is something funny:

Darth Tater

Joshua 5

2005-01-19T21:51:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME

"Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door/ Who is it for?"

(BTW, Nobody got Monday's BONUS TIME: Nickle Creek's "Out of the Woods". NC is a great folksy, bluegrass, modern kind of sound...i like them a lot. Love the mandolin.)

Had a great Wednesday gathering at the Power Source Cafe. We had the message interspersed with songs. Camped out in Joshua 5. Here was our order for the night:

Come, let us worship and bow down
I will call upon the Lord

Part 1--obedience...(Joshua and the Israelites are about to attack Jericho, so to prepare for war, Joshua circumcises all the males...none were while in the forty years of desert time and that was the covenant with Abraham. OUCH!) But they obeyed!

Creat In Me A Clean Heart
Lord, Take Control

Part 2--worship...the Israelites no longer had manna provided, at this time they were living off the land and THEY LOVED IT. The celebrated with a feast and worshiped.

You're worthy of my praise
O Worship the King

Part 3--the presence of God...interesting / it wasn't until after obedience and worship that the commander of the Lord's army appeared (Jesus). We don't go about it that way, do we... We want to see/feel his presence THEN we will obey, THEN we will worship. Not right!

I Stand in Awe
Here I am to Worship

Part 4--Victory...do you really think feet stomping on the ground for seven days and a loud shout brought down the walls? It was God...and he started the process through the people way back when the priests stepped in the water and it parted. WHOA! What are some walls you have and are you willing to step into the water to begin the victory that is yours for the taking.

The Battle belongs to the Lord

Thanks to Doug Allison (my friend, co-worker, wild at heart brother) for these thoughts.

Life in the Pause

2005-01-18T16:55:00.000-06:00

BONUS TIME
"It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing Milk-Bone underwear!" (who said it)

I've begun to reread Wild at Heart (see side bar for link) and have joined a group of men to go through it this go around. I'm excited about it and getting to know this "band of brothers!" We dealt last night with fear and being a poser. (Next week we begin on the wound).

When I think of poser, I go back to high school days (late eighties) and while I never owned a skateboard or could even ride on one, I looked the part. Except for the Vans...I never got into those. Anyway, as we talked last night and the question was posed about what character are you most like in a movie (supposedly most men want to be William Wallace in Braveheart or Indiana Jones, I'd be content with Fletch). Well, for last night the part I picked was that of "Shooter" in Hoosiers. (A couple of things to get straight: I'm not the town drunk or any drunk for that matter and I don't know that much about basketball) However, I picked him for one spot in the move.

When Gene Hackman, who plays the coach, gets himself kicked out of the game its a ploy to force Shooter to step up and be somebody. There is a big pause as the fans, players, refs, everybody looks to Shooter for guidance. It takes one of the players (I think his son) to throw out an idea then Shooter takes off and they win the game and he is excited. (Later on he stumbles again but then afterwards has more determination to change his life.)

OK, that BIG Pause. That's my fear, that's where my poser comes out. I've got this inner dilemma where I know God has plans for me beyond my wildest imagination, and I feel like He's put me to the task and everyone is watching, wondering...and it's in that pause I find myself. It's a rather stuck feeling. Many think I could do this or that, and yet, I stay in the pause.

I know digging deeper into the wound, while it can hurt, will help. I want to get on in life and not stay paused forever.

Mike Cope, Highland & non-important stuff

2005-01-17T11:03:00.000-06:00

Those of you who read my blog, know I offer a link to Mike Cope's blog as well. Be in prayer for him and his family along with the Highland church, where he preaches. Several kids on the way back from Winterfest (a huge church retreat here in the DFW area) flipped in the suburban they were riding in. Mike's son, Chris was one of three boys who had to be flown to Cooks in FW. Another young boy died at the scene and others experienced the need for some medical attention. Still other kids in vehicles following witnessed the . Be in prayer and click on Mike's link or Val's to get some updates.

Non-important stuff.

BONUS TIME (hint...song)
"I rollercoaster for you/ Time out of mind/ Must be heavenly."

I have yet to see the movie, but enough of my buds have that I had to post this quiz...so who are you! I was

Pedro Sanchez
(Please rate my quiz)

Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I found a way to get music to play on this blog, but using only free materials, I think I have alreayd maxed out my transfer usage (i get 10mb in a 24-hour period from www.ripway.com) But when you come back tomorrow, you should be able to hear and even choose from a list of a few tunes. Kind of fun messing with this blog stuff!

Games, New Life, Holiness, &

2005-01-16T23:30:00.000-06:00

The game continues (b/w quotations)...but instead of that name, we'll just call it BONUS TIME. Jenni is winning with 2 points (see side bar for stats so far). She did confess to googling for the answer, but at the time that wasn't against the rules. However, we will now make it one. No googling for answers! Guess the quote and earn a point each for the movie and the name of the movie character who said it. Your name could be immortalized on Nino's Blog!!! (Like that's worth something). Another easy one:

"True love is the greatest thing in the world. Except for a nice MLT... mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich where the mutton is nice and lean, and the tomato is ripe....they're so perky. I love that. "

BTW, nobody guessed the last quote from Fiddler on the Roof, spoken by Tevye!

Today was a great day gathered with the body. I had the honor of baptizing Lindsey Meyer this morning. What a sweet little sister in Christ I have. My prayer for her is that she will continue to grow in the ways of God and that the Holy Spirit will continue to be her guide in all she does. Speaking of Sunday AM, we are in I Peter and today was "Be holy as I am holy" so the message revolved around understanding the holiness of God. Next week we will look at our part in that.

On another note, this last week a family called me who had visited Southlake maybe 6-8 times or so. I had never met them but when I went to their I house I recognized the dad. They hadn't been at church in awhile. This family of 5 (Dad, Mom, Son-24, daugher-13, daughter-8) called and asked if I would help plan and speak at their Dad's funeral. David has cancer and is currently in Hospice care, bed-ridden in his home. So I went over last Thursday and met with he and his wife, Sherry, for over an hour. It was odd to plan a funeral for someone who is still living and yet the peace in this house was truly unexplainable. We joked and laughed (he is going to be cremated and being the big Beatles fan that he is, wants a Yellow Submerine Urn) and we prayed and talked frankly about . Nobody wants him to die, but they are OK with him dying.

I met with the kids on Saturday. What a family! the 8 year old is working on a poem and the 13 year old is jotting down some thoughts in her journal. The scripture I turn to in these times is Isaiah 55...it sure is easier to read it than to grasp to it and cling to it. But His ways are not my ways! And honostly, that's a good thing. (Like Jim Carry in Bruce Almighty just saying "yes" to everyone's prayers and all "chaos" breaking loose).

Anyway, don't know how long he will live, but as you read this, pray for the Johnson family. And pray for me, too, as I help in planning his funeral.

The Foam Trip

2005-01-13T14:13:00.000-06:00

b/w quotations (between quotations)

"I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't you choose someone else? "

Our auditorium (sanctuary) is a big, bare-walled place that has noise (music) ricocheting all over the place. This unfortunately would make for a muddy sound. Thankfully, our sound tech has worked magic and made things pretty crystal clear. However, we both agree there is a need for some sound proofing in the room. Enter Greg & Ryan! Greg (buddy of sound tech, Kyle) knows of this need, and hears from Ryan (buddy of Greg) about 10 pallets of foam that are about to be thrown away. Greg and Ryan salvage said foam and store it in most of Ryan's (& wife, Rebekah) garage. Most because one had to go in the living room.

Upfront, we know have 24,000 pieces of 10" X 10" foam (like you would have on your mattress to give it extra comfort). The pallets measure 3' X 3' X 5'. Anyway, we got those out of Ryan's place and to the church building. Now the need to configure, do the math and begin to piece and place this foam on the bare walls of our place. Fun! Fun! Fun!

b/w quotations and my week

2005-01-12T16:00:00.001-06:00

A little game and we will keep score...we'll call it "b/w quotations." I'll offer a quote from a TV/Movie/Song (Secular or Christian) and the first person who comments with the correct guess gets the point. (Bonus points may also be offered later.) Maybe this will cause me to start writing regularly. We'll go easy at first...

"Do you ever just get down on your knees and thank God that you know me and have access to my dementia?"

On to my week...I've had a tough week in the sense that I haven't gotten to be around my family or wife. Our schedule as of the 9th:

SUNDAY: I'm up and out of the house by 5:30 a.m. I sort of see the fam around 11 at church. We get home by 1:00 and chill, watch some football, nap, Ali goes to Wal-Mart. Then at 6 p.m. it's off to small group, rush home around 8:15 and get the kids down to bed.

MONDAY: Get up, make lunches, take kids to school and head to work. Get home around 5:45 eat and play with kids a bit, then head back to church for Wild At Heart group that meets 8:30 - 10:30 (love it).

TUESDAY: Get up, make lunches, take kids to school and head to work. Force myself to go meet the family at a nearby park by 4 p.m. Eat ice cream, push the swing, venture into the library then head back to church at 5:20 to go pick up foam. Yeah, foam! And lots of it! Get back and unload said foam and it is 7 p.m. Race home to pick up David for Bball practice from 7:30 - 8:30. Rush him home so that I can then go back to church for Praise Band practice...8:30 - 11:30.

WEDNESDAY: Get up, no lunches or kids, leave by 6:15 for bible study at church then head on into work. Interiview a dying man and his wife to plan his funeral. (Another blog!). The day goes on at work, and now will try to steal away for a few more precious moments with family before heading back up to church (recurring theme in my life) with family in tow this time for our Wednesday gathering. Then home...maybe stay up and watch Alias and look forward to tomorrow night when I will get to stay home! Aahhhhhh!

2005-01-12T16:00:00.000-06:00

A little game and we will keep score...I'll offer a quote from TV/Movie/Song (Secular or Christian) and the first comment to guess gets the point. Maybe this will cause me to start righting regularly. We'll go easy at first...

"Do you ever just get down on your knees and thank God that you know me and have access to my dementia?"

I've had a tough week in the sense that I haven't gotten to be around my family or wife. Our schedule as of the 9th:
SUNDAY: I'm up and out of the house by 5:30 a.m. I sort of see the fam around 11 at church. We get home by 1:00 and chill, watch some football, nap, Ali goes to Wal-Mart. Then at 6 p.m. it's off to small group, rush home around 8:15 and get the kids down to bed.

MONDAY: Get up, make lunches, take kids to school and head to work. Get home around 5:45 eat and play with kids a bit, then head back to church for Wild At Heart group that meets 8:30 - 10:30 (love it).

TUESDAY: Get up, make lunches, take kids to school and head to work. Force myself to go meet the family at a nearby park by 4 p.m. Eat ice cream, push the swing, venture into the library then head back to church at 5:20 to go pick up foam. Yeah, foam! And lots of it! Get back and unload said foam and it is 7 p.m. Race home to pick up David for Bball practice from 7:30 - 8:30. Rush him home so that I can then go back to church for Praise Band practice...8:30 - 11:30.

WEDNESDAY: Get up, no lunches or kids, leave by 6:15 for bible study at church then head on into work. Interiview a dying man and his wife to plan his funeral. (Another blog!). The day goes on at work, and now will try to steal away for a few more precious moments with family before heading back up to church (recurring theme in my life) with family in tow this time for our Wednesday gathering. Then home...maybe stay up and watch Alias and look forward to tomorrow night when I will get to stay home!

A Great Birthday

2005-01-03T09:20:00.000-06:00

I had a great birthday on Saturday. Ali surprised me with the plans of going on a ski trip in early March. A no-kids trip! It was very special and the topper was that our great friends and prayer partners, the Clyde's, will be coming with us!

What made the birthday special was having the Clyde's around all weekend. We brought in the new year and then piddled and worked New Years day and then grilled out on Saturday night. We invited the Conway family over and it was great to see the interaction between these two dear families that we love.

My sweet Elizabeth also gave me present...she figured out "Happy Birthday" on the piano and played it for me (several times!!) What a gift and what a joy! And David drew for me a card that showed me on the stage at church with guitar in hand, piano to my right, and behind me is the screen with these words of worship: "Holy is the Lord, God Almighty. The earth is filled with His glory." David is paying attention!!

Elizabeth & Andrew also made cards as well as the Clyde children. My favorite pound cake (my granny's recipe) and ice cream was also delicious. Ron got me a computer game that we will be able to play over the internet...Rise of Nations...I've already had a few solo battles and could see that this could be addictive.

Finally, we bit the bullet and went with the Fiber Optics that Verizon is offering. AMAZING, especially after dial-up!!! Anyway, what I didn't expect was what Verizon sent early Friday morning...an IPOD. So I have been having fun learning all about it as well.

I Hope your 2005 is blessed. Mine has already begun in a great way, not so much the material things of life, but being surrounded by a family and friends who love me. Praise the Lord!

35 Years of Existence

2005-01-01T07:19:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year to the Blog world! Wow, 2005 and today I celebrate my 35th year of existence! So not only do I feel the need to reflect on 2004 but also the past 35 years. (I'm actually in my mid-30's now and on the closer side to 40...bizarre!)

There is a feature I enjoy reading in our local paper about what was going on 10 and 20 years ago. I noticed the same feature in my parents paper except that it also shows 30 years ago. So I want to attempt that although I would need the help of my family to get through some it.

30 years ago...January 1, 1975
After being born in Verona, Italy, by now we are living in Pordenone (could be misspelled) and I'm 5. I have a friend by the name of Valentina who lives in our same apartment complex. I go to a Catholic preschool (that actually may be the next year). I live through an earthquake. My favorite show and character is Zorro!

20 years ago...January 1, 1985
I'm fifteen and a freshman at Temple High School. I'm playing on our Freshman soccer team, the Wildcats. We have an amazing season where we go 15-0 and have 14 shutouts. For non-sports enthusiasts, a shutout is when the opposing team has no score a the end of the game...a goose egg. This is a bigger deal for me because I am playing defense and helping to keep the ball away from our goal. The one game where someone scored was obviously a fluke since we won 10-1.

The dating scene has continued but most likely I'm not "going with" anyone at this time...this gets me out of the gift giving need! It seems like I "went with" Holly W. in the first semester and I can't recall who it would have been following this birthday. I'm also in choir and very arrogant about my voice. I am probably thinking that I am God's gift to this Choir program. (Boy, has God done a work in me!)

At this point I'm leading singing at our church on some Sunday mornings, nights and Wednesday nights. My buddy, Robert B. and I along with Todd C., are becoming the "youth ministers" of our little youth group. We don't have a youth minister, but instead have a youth deacon. So we take over.

10 years ago...January 1, 1995
I'm married now to an amazing woman and we are now about to begin our second semester of graduate school. I was in youth ministry in San Antonio before coming back to school. I'm getting my degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. (I will discover a lot about myself as I go through this program). We live in a little 3 bedroom one bath just down from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. We don't totally realize it yet, but our debt is about to go out of control! I'm making some amazing friends through this program and through church.

I'm also working as an interim worship minister at the Highland Church of Christ with Mike Cope. I plan and lead the Wednesday nights and I help to plan Sunday mornings. (By this time next year, I will be leading on Sunday mornings as well ). This is where I believe God changed my life in a huge way and taught me the difference between being a song leader and a lead worshiper.

Well, that's it for now...I'll reflect on 2004 in the next blog? What was going on in your life 10, 20, 30 years ago?

A lot has changed

2004-12-27T19:26:00.000-06:00

I'm in Abilene enjoying time with the in-laws. Christmas has been great this year and I actually enjoyed a nap as well. The holidays are nice!

OK. A lot has changed in less than a month. The church where I work (Southlake Blvd Church) has gone through some difficult times. And yet, I am more excited than ever about being there and doing the work God as called me to do. What is sad is that this body of Christ that meets at SBC is known more about it's splits than the work that is going on. And in this last month, yet another split. But from what I can tell, this one has been different than the others. The others, while pain was involved, left rather peacefully. This one hasn't been peaceful. Two of the three prior left with a preacher who had a vision and resigned to pursue that vision (the third was in regards to the name on the sign being changed). This one didn't. I know other differences are there, but I guess I point this out because the tone of our gatherings is different. I'm surrounded by staff, elders and a body that call SBC home and not only find Jesus but claim Him and willingly share His Name. I really believe a mighty work will begin through all this.

Good friends and family have left our home to create their own. I am sad and I have confessed to God and others of my resentment and bitterness to how all this came to be. However, I have prayed for God to bless and keep this flock that has departed. I can't imagine He is happy and would brush this off as "another church has planted...yipee!!" But I know He is so much bigger than me and in total control of all things. My faith has not weakened, but through Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit, I am strong. So my thanks is that He is God and I am not!

On another note...I got some cool shirts and a sweatshirt, shoes, pants, socks, boxers, a tape measure that runs along the wall and marks the measurement (haven't figured it out yet) and the kids got me a five in one video game for the TV...it has Galaga which is all I care about. Oh Yeah!!!

Anybody else?

Come, Lord, every time we gather

2004-12-24T08:44:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas Eve!

We had a snow fall on Wednesday that is still around today...so the kids have been in and out playing already this morning. There's the constant questioning of when to open presents and amazingly, there is still the need to buy a couple of more presents before this day is over. We will be gathering with our church late this afternoon for our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelighting, then we open presents, then get the kids to bed for the anticipation of Christmas day and what other gifts will be around!

One of the things Ali and I have enjoyed for the past 7 years is having Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our own home. It has become really special. Now, we certainly love to be with the grandparents and usually we would leave on Christmas Day to go to either Abilene or the Temple/Belton area, but duties on Sunday will keep us here for the whole day before we can head out. And that's OK.

Last Sunday night we had an amazing worship event at our building with our church body. Our first go around with a choir (20 people) practiced hard since October to put on a "program" called 'Come! In Grace & Glory'. In light of things that have happened within our body, this turned out to be a very special and much needed time. The greatest compliment was that it wasn't a choir of singers but of worshipers! Praise God! The culminating plea for the whole night was for God to "move our hearts until we see Your grace and glory!"...We were moved and say the amazing grace and beautiful glory of our Lord! Come, Lord, every time we gather. Come, Lord!

TODAY is about GOD

2004-12-12T05:35:00.000-06:00

It's been too long, and I don't have much time now. But I feel the need to share how in love I am with God and with the body of Christ that meets at Southlake Blvd. Church. Three hours from now, we will meet for our first hour gathering with the next one coming at 11 a.m. I have no idea who or what to expect. It has been a tough week! Many faces that I have looked into week to week won't be back at SBC. However, still more faces that I have engaged with will be back. The journey ahead is certainly an adventure and today it begins. I love our Shepherds and enjoy my time around them and with them as we enter God's presence. Thankfully, today is not about me, or the Shepherds or those that will or won't be at SBC this morning.

TODAY is about GOD. My prayer this morning is for God to take over and for Him to call the shots. "I will wait paitentlu for the Lord, He will turn to me and hear my cry. He will lift me out of the pit of mud and mire and set my feet on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. On Him I will have a firm place to stand. And God, today, will put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to Him. Today, many will see and fear, will see and commit to the way of Jesus Christ, will see and commit to the service of the Kingdom, will see and put their trust not in man, but in our Lord."

Thank you God for being so Good! Many will be watching today, You be what they are looking for!

2004-12-03T11:12:00.000-06:00

Just a note to say that more will come.

I walk by faith, not sight.

I'm training my eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen.

Come Lord.

These are the days

2004-11-24T09:29:00.000-06:00

These are the days of grace.
These are the days of Elijah.
These are the days of our lives!
And what amazing days they are!

I know God is in control of all things. Nothing goes unnoticed in "these days." But oh the drama...secrecy...joy...frustration...fun...pain...and on and on and on...

My mother recently forwarded to me an e-mail with the subject being "Christian One-Liners." I opened it, read it and laughed at a few...some were just plain goofy. But the truth in some seemed too deep! Some examples that made me chuckled:

Don't let your worries get the best of you, remember, Moses started out as a basket case!
The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes (& fire ants & flies) come close.
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruit(s) of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Now the others:
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever!
A lot of church members who are singing "standing on the promises" are just sitting on the premises.
If the church wants a better preacher, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
Quit griping about your church...if it was perfect, you couldn't belong to it.

And finally, one that made me laugh and then it stuck with me...People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

I am that people! I want comfort! I want to sit on the front so I can get out first! Same would probably be true for church (except that I work there and thus have a "reserved" seat in the front.) And when it comes to the middle of the road...always! It's safest there! I'm not at risk of being too close to oncoming traffic or of falling off the shoulder down the steep ledge that may or may not exist. Plenty of parallels in our Christian walk!

These are the days...

This was kind of an everywhere blog...any thoughts?

T-day

2004-11-23T07:48:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving week. Right now I'm in San Angelo visiting my brother and his family. Then we will head on up to Abilene to spend T-day with Ali's folks. I really want to get better at keeping this blog going on a more consistent basis, but I find it a challenge to get to it each day! I've been reading proverbs each day (the 23rd one today)! And doing so out of the message. There is lot of amazing information there. I think what catches my eye most often is the difference between the rich and poor...I know that I am a "rich" man based on where I live, what I live in, what I drive, what I eat, etc. But I also feel that I know "poor" compared to others around me. I need humility! Teach me Lord to seek you out and to find true wisdom and knowledge.

I think my favorite dish for T-giving is the dressing (I'm also one of those wierd types that like the cranberry sauce out of the can...the jello looking one!) Anybody else have a favorite dish?

I'm going to try to get on tomorrow and think through some stuff regarding church!

The Hound of Heaven

2004-11-11T09:07:00.000-06:00

In a 24-hour period I've heard two people refer to this particular poem. Three weeks ago, I used this poem while talking about Saul's conversion experience. Here is a little bit from this somewhat lengthy poem:

THE HOUND OF HEAVEN
by Francis Thompson

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter…
…Still with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbed pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
Came on the following Feet,
And a Voice above their beat—
"Naught shelters thee, who wilt not shelter Me."…

… Now of that long pursuit
Comes on at hand the bruit;
That Voice is round me like a bursting sea:…

…Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee,
Save Me, save only Me?
All which I took from thee I did but take,
Not for thy harms,
But just that thou might'st seek it in My arms.
All which thy child's mistake
Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home:
Rise, clasp My hand, and come."

Halts by me that footfall:
Is my gloom, after all,
Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?

"Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me."…

Someone wrote about this poem: "The name is strange. It startles one at first. It is so bold, so new, so fearless. It does not attract, rather the reverse. But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears. The meaning is understood. As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurrying and impertubed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace. And though in sin or in human love, away from God it seeks to hide itself, Divine grace follows after, unwearyingly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit.
(The Neuman Press "Book of Verse", 1988.)

Life change happens when we believe in God's power to change lives! I want and need that, anyone else?

Living as a Child Light

2004-11-10T09:51:00.000-06:00

Seems like it has been awhile since I typed anything. My thoughts today come from Ephesians 4 & 5...living as children of light. It seems for months I've had a war raging within my mind. There is the part of me that wants desperately to follow after God and act & be in such a way that shows this. The other part of me gives in to unwholesome talk and crude humor. I don't want to laugh at the jokes, or make them, but this part of me takes over. And yet, I know I can turn from it, it's a choice, right? (Much like my choosing to not drink carbination). But what I am finding is that my choice is not always in keeping with the notion of "what would Jesus do".

The simple truth is that I have been taught to put OFF my old self (my pre-Jesus self), which is being corrupted by my deceitful desires; But instead, to be made new in the attitude of my mind, and to put ON the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

What does that mean? For me, watch the way I talk. Letting nothing foul or dirty come out of my mouth. Saying only what helps, each word being a gift.

Lord, keep convicting my heart in regards to my speech and help me today to see each word I speak as being a gift that will help.

Poisen Ivy

2004-11-03T15:38:00.000-06:00

For ten days now I have had poisen ivy! My arms, stomach and lower legs have looked kind of gross. So I've tried to wear long sleeve shirts and jeans most of the time. The itching has finally subsided but at its peak, there was nothing better than scalding hot water!! Oh, that felt so good! So why do you need to know this? Well, some things I've learned by having poisen ivy that I'd like to share:

1. I know what the three leaves look like now and I will certainly flee next time.

2. Either I'm highly allergic to it and it just went wild all over me, or it's just a myth that once it is in the break out stage it will no longer spread.

3. I'm much more mature when it comes to the temptation of scratching it at the age of 34 versus how much I gave in when I had it last at age 13.

4. My children's faith has strengthened because of praying that my "disease" would go away. It did!

5. I would gladly get it again to keep my wife and kids from experiencing the pain involved.

Not to much depth in the learning, but I gained something. Anybody have any poisen ivy stories?

At Just the Right Time

2004-10-25T08:33:00.000-05:00

I'm enjoying writing more and more. Not that I really have a lot to write about, but...Romans 5:6, Paul states that "at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." I suppose it could be broken down several ways, but the main three that stick out to me are:
1) just the right time--I've often wondered about the "what if" Jesus had come in today's time with Cell Phones, the Web, Guns, etc. But that really is useless to think about. God's appointed time was part of the redemptive plan. Thank you God for your sovereignty!
2) when we were still powerless--."we" were powerless up to that point. All "we" could do was burn an animal and ask the priest to take care of the rest. But now "we" are no longer powerless, we have resurrection power.
3) the ungodly--that is us. And yet it is his that covers us and presents us in a way that God can truly look upon us.

Kind of quick but wanted to get this out.
Be blessed

The Jesus Prayer

2004-10-21T13:52:00.000-05:00

My brother reminded me this morning of the power of unceasing prayers. A breath prayer that he shared with me (which I had heard of and others may have as well) is commonly called the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." Richard Foster tells of an anonymous russian peasant from the 19th century who tells the moving story of his search to pray without ceasing in The Way of a Pilgrim. "Once he learned the Jesus Prayer, he prayed it continuously until the prayer moved from his mind into his heart and finally throughout his whole body--becoming so internalized that it was present with him at all times, whether he was awake or asleep."

Foster suggests that whether we use this prayer or make up our own to begin praying it as often as possible. "Allow God to plant it dee into the depths of your spirit...Commenting on breat prayers, Theophane the Recluse notes, 'Thoughts continue to jostle in your head like mosquitoes. To stop this jostling you must bind the mind with one thought, or the thought of One only. An aid to this is a short prayer, which helps the mind to become simple and unified."

(Richard Foster, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home.)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner."

Dark & Light

2004-10-20T10:10:00.000-05:00

First off, let's go Astros!!! (And while I'm at, go Sox!)

On Monday night, I was looking forward to watching baseball and football, just constant channel flipping, but at about 7 all the power went out. Not just our house but the whole neighborhood. Complete darkness! No stormy weather, it just went out. The kids all panicked a bit, claiming that they would all have to sleep in our bedroom. I got a flashlight that I keep next to my bed and we went about lighting candles throughout the house just to offer a bit of light. Each child wanted to hold "my flashlight" so while they were taking turns, I fumbled around the garage for the area where we keep other flashlights. I think we must have 11 and 2 of those worked. So I'm searching for batteries for the lights so that each kid can have there own. (I'm secretly looking for batteries to put into one of the kids jam box so that I could get the game on.)

Why the detail? Well, complete darkness is a freaky thing. The very rooms that our kids so easily walk in and out of throughout the day and night, all of a sudden are out of the question because there is no light. There rooms, which they have memorized where everything is, no longer are safe because of the complete darkness. Even our dog in the backyard new something wasn't right. But, when we cast light anywhere, the darkness fled and with it, the fear.

That's what God's Light is all about, and we need to constantly cast it in the areas of our life that remain in darkness. To stay in the darkness, ultimately is a very frightful and lonely place.

Monday Afternoon

2004-10-18T15:49:00.000-05:00

I've answered all the emails, made phone calls, gone to meetings read other various things and now I'm ready to head home. Want to "root, root, root for the Astros!" and read the last part of Harry Potter to my oldest!

Life really is good! We had the best time last night at our church building. We had Kidzblitz (www.kidzblitz.com) come and what an amazing night. I got to participate as the team captain for the blue team. My voice is still hurting as is the rest of my body from the funky girations to the music. I poofed in the face with flour and I swallowed a worm (no, it doesn't taste like chicken!). Our children's minister promised that if the kids, 5th grade and down, numbered 200 that we could dump worms all over her. They did it with 279 (plus another 120 parents). Amazing stuff.

But still better! We introduced a new member yesterday morning who's story is all God. He is driving by on a Wednesday night and the radio program says that "you need to be at a church right now, get involved, find a place." So he pulled into our parking lot and was greeted and fell in love with the body of Christ here at Southlake. Neat right, well (keeping in mind that he was introduced as a new member yesterday), he came to kidzblitz even though he had no kids and enjoyed it and then stuck around and asked for vaccuum to clean off the stage (somewhat of a big mess when the big hammer came out and squashed the dried oatmeal box!). I thanked him several times and spied on one occasion that as he was vaccuuming on our stage, at one point he looked up a the cross and smiled a very humble smiled and went on with the task. His only need of recognition was from His heavenly Father, my praises to him, while nice, meant nothing compared to this. What are you doing to serve: at church, at home, at work, in public?

I think I'm going to enjoy this blogging stuff.

One final comment, I'm a worship leader and not only love what I get to do, I'm very thankful for it. But I found that at a recent conference where I got to lead worship with a lot of other worship leaders in the audience, I'm very arrogant and love the lime light...there's this hunger for acknowledgement. So I found myself wanting the speakers that followed to say something about how amazing my leading was or how great that song was. I share this now because my whole desire is to bring the evils of my life into the Light. By doing this I feel that I have that much more ammunition against Satan. I used (use) this need for acknowledgement as a food to feed my pride-filled soul. An amazing and aweful addiction. And so I begin by treating it as such, one day at a time I deal with the joy and satisfaction that I can be confident in Jesus Christ and what God has made me to be. He validates me and really, I hold a power to validate myself. So that's a little bit of my journey.

Grace, mercy & peace,

First Try

2004-10-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

This is a first shot at blogging. I've enjoyed reading some friends stuff and thought it would be great to have something to jot down thoughts each day. A much needed journal, if you will.